Free Online Cybersecurity Training Open to Veterans

In a few short weeks, summer will be over, but it won’t just be students returning to the classroom. Veterans will also have the opportunity to go back to school for free cybersecurity training.

A Department of Veterans Affairs blog post last week announced the Department of Homeland Security and Hiring our Heroes have teamed up to offer free online, on-demand cybersecurity training to government employees and veterans via DHS’ Federal Virtual Training Environment (Fed VTE).

DHS also offers a Veterans Cybersecurity Training and Education Guide to help veterans assess their readiness and interest in a cybersecurity career, prepare and plan for the necessary training, and engage by developing cybersecurity skills and abilities.

The blog states Fed VTE has more than 100,000 users and contains more than 800 hours of training. Courses include risk management, malware analysis, mobile and device security, and ethical hacking.

According to the training website, cybersecurity professionals report an average salary of $116,000, nearly three times the national average. The demand for cybersecurity experts is growing 12 times faster than the current U.S. job market, making cybersecurity one of the most highly sought-after careers in the country.

In addition to these resources, DHS and the National Security Agency jointly sponsor the National Centers for Academic Excellence program in hopes of developing a technically skilled workforce and a pipeline for future employees. Through this program, veterans interested in pursuing a degree in cybersecurity or a related field can attend a college or university designated as a Center of Academic Excellence and recognized for aligning their programs with skills needed to work in the career field.

Veterans can register for a Fed VTE account through the Hire Our Heroes website.